Your Civil Rights at VA
By law, you have the right to access Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, services, and programs without being discriminated based on any of the following:
- Race, color, or national origin (including ability to understand English, or limited English proficiency)
- Ethnicity
- Age
- Sex
- Disability
For example, a VA program can’t deny you services or benefits simply because of one of these factors. VA staff must make a reasonable effort to provide free aid and services to help you communicate effectively. This can include large-print documents or services like an interpreter.
You have these rights in any VA program and in any program that receives VA funding. Federally conducted programs are those that are directly administered by the Agency, such as healthcare and other VA benefits. Federally assisted programs are those programs that receive Federal financial assistance.
The Office of Resolution Management’s Role
The Office of Resolution Management (ORM) is VA’s liaison with the Department of Justice for addressing issues of discrimination in federal programs and activities.
The VA Civil Rights Discrimination Complaints Program has oversight responsibility for the processing of civil rights discrimination complaints and serves as the intake office for these complaints. When a complaint is received, it is forwarded to the appropriate administration or staff office for investigation.
How to File a Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint
This program is for Veterans, caregivers, family members, and others who use VA benefits and services. You can file a complaint for yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend. If you’re a caregiver or fiduciary of a Veteran, you can file a complaint on their behalf. You don’t need a lawyer to file a complaint, but you can have legal representation if you want.
Veterans or other individuals that have experienced such discrimination in Federal programs conducted or funded by VA should contact the External Complaints Program by submitting a complaint online or by calling ORM at (888) 566-3982, Option 4.
Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.
Who is Not Eligible to File a Civil Rights
Discrimination Complaint
Please be advised that the Civil Rights Discrimination Complaints do not apply to current or former federal employees (including those employees who have Veterans status) nor prospective federal employment applicants. Current and former employees with issues involving employment discrimination and harassment can submit a complaint online or contact (888) 566-3982 and select either option 2 (Equal Employment Opportunity) or 3 (Harassment).
What will VA do with your complaint?
Once a complaint is received, it will be reviewed to ensure VA has the legal authority to investigate your complaint.
ORM will refer your complaint to the primary administration:
- Veterans Health Administration
- Veterans Benefits Administration
- National Cemetery Administration
The administration will process the complaint, including the investigative process (which will address those issues that were raised in the complaint) and the findings or resolution of those issues involved.
They’ll share the information they find. They’ll work with you and others involved to resolve the complaint.
Learn more about the laws that protect your Civil Rights
VA follows these Civil Rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs and services that receive federal funds:
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
Read more about Title VI on the Department of Justice website - Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 – Prohibits discrimination based on sex.
Read more about Title IX on the Department of Justice website - Age Discrimination Act of 1975 – Prohibits discrimination based on age.
Read more about the Age Discrimination Act on the Department of Labor website - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – Prohibits discrimination based on disability.
Read more about Section 504 on the Department of Labor website
